If you are lucky enough to spend time on a crewed yacht this winter vacation, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First of all, you don’t own the boat, so you must act accordingly – just like you would visiting someone else’s home. Essentially, you are on the captain’s boat – what he says always goes. Many people board a yacht and think just because they are paying customers that they should be allowed to do whatever they want to do, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you want to have an amazing time while aboard a yacht, you need to follow a few rules. Here are five crewed yacht charter etiquette tips.

Be nice to the crew. The crew isn’t there to serve you – they are there because they are maritime professionals. The crew is an essential part of keeping the boat running and keeping operations running efficiently. If you get sea-sick, the crew will know exactly how to alleviate your nausea. If you are not nice to the crew, they may not be nice back to you.

Wear decent shoes. You don’t want to jump on a crewed yacht with dirty shoes and you certainly don’t want to jump on with your high heels on. Not only will this be uncomfortable, but it is also rude and disrespectful. Not to mention, wearing street shoes on a yacht can cause scuffs and damages. A yacht usually has a pristine paint job that is not designed to have a bunch of people walking on it with their street shoes. What is appropriate? Socks or loafers with a soft, white sole. Moreover, try not going barefoot.

Make sure that your children are quiet and respectful. When you are aboard a crewed yacht, like the ones provided by All Rivers & Saltwater Charters, you need to know that you are not on a big cruise with complimentary daycare for your kids. If your kids are running all over the place and no one can control them, the captain may head back to the dock and kick you off the boat. So, make sure to have a talk with your children before you board the yacht, because you don’t want to wind up being “those” parents.

Don’t raid the kitchen. The kitchen in a yacht is the cook’s territory – you never want to be in the cook’s territory. When it comes down to it, the fridge is most likely packed with items that the cook will use for a meal that is included in your tour package. If you need a snack, or something to munch on, you always want to ask before you go near the kitchen.

Obey the captain at all times. When you are on a crewed yacht, you always want to make sure that you listen to the captain and heed all his warnings. A yacht can be dangerous if you do not follow the rules. So, make sure to always keep your ear out for the captain if he has any announcements. And at the end of the tour, you may want to say thank you to the captain for getting you and your family back safely.